Yank Sing isn’t like most dim sum places. Yes, their menu includes hundreds of delicious small-plate Chinese classics guests can share with a table or hoard for themselves, but it’s served up in a refined environment that’s earned plaudits from food critics and seasoned dim sum aficionados alike. Although it’s pricier and more deliberately elegant than most dim sum restaurants, Yank Sing San Francisco still includes recognizable elements of a dim sum meal in its dining room, including dumpling-laden carts manned by bustling waiters. Guests who make the trek to Yank Sing should be sure to order these signature dishes. When specific dishes aren’t available on a given cart, guests can simply ask employees for more.

Peking Duck

Yank Sing’s Peking duck is the stuff of legends, and with good reason. With its crispy, decadent lacquered skin and the two pillowy steamed buns that accompany it, Yank Sing’s Peking duck is absolutely delicious, even for those who’ve never tried duck before. This is San Francisco dim sum done right, capturing the deep, savory flavor of a classic dish with an elevated approach that diners won’t soon forget. Although food trends have taken the local Chinese cuisine scene to some interesting new places, Yank Sing has been in business since 1958, and it’s easy to imagine the same Peking duck delighting customers back then too.

Xiao Long Bao

Xiao long bao, also known as soup dumplings, are a tasty treat that is finally getting their due in the American foodie scene. Although they’re just starting to get trendy, Yank Sing has been serving up its signature xiao long bao for decades, and they’re just as delicious now as they were decades ago. Eating soup dumplings is quite the experience for the uninitiated. As the name implies, these delicious pastry pockets do indeed contain soup inside. Bite into one of Yank Sing’s soup dumplings and you’ll get a flavorful little slurp of hot broth before your teeth meet the rich steamed pork inside. Because they’re filled with liquid, these bite-sized beauties usually need to be consumed with a spoon rather than a pair of chopsticks alone.

Har Gao

It just wouldn’t be dim sum without an indulgent surfeit of dumplings and, at Yank Sing, the har gao are another must-have item. These shrimp dumplings are wrapped in a beautifully delicate rice dough wrapper, concealing tender shrimp and fragrant chives inside. Yank Sing has mastered the perfect wrapper-to-filling ratio for this dumpling, making it a masterwork of culinary balance.

Egg Custard Tarts

These cute little tarts have a bright yellow filling that may make you think of a lemon tart, but they’re filled with an egg custard that’s more savory than sweet to the American palate. Anyone who’s been to a Chinese restaurant buffet with a dessert section has probably sampled one of these tarts. If you’ve never found them to your liking, they deserve a second chance at Yank Sing. This is yet another recipe that these dim sum masters have completely perfected over the three generations of family that has run this Bay Area restaurant empire.

Enjoy these Chinese classics that are delivered to diners with an extra touch of elegance at Yank Sing. Call ahead or check the online menu to confirm which dishes are available when you plan to visit, as menu items may be subject to change.